FLAGS ON THE HILL

May 28, 2012 by Susan Shay 1 Comment

Yesterday evening, G-Man and I went to visit his parents’ graves. (His dad was in Patton’s 3rd during WWII.) They’re on the far north side, and driving out I happened to notice, clear across the cemetery on the south side, a beautiful sight. Naturally, I snapped a picture.

I took a few more out the window when my man said, “What are you doing?”

“Taking pictures of those flags over there.”

So we took a detour to see the flags on the hill.

I don’t know about you, but the sight of all that red, white and blue bunting standing out in the breeze stirs my blood.

It’s not just the bold and beautiful colors, although I’m a color red fan (started to say a big red fan, but that might get me in trouble with my OSU kiddos) it’s what the symbols on Old Glory stand for.

Officially–

• White: Signifies purity and innocence
• Red: Signifies valor and bravery
• Blue: Signifies Vigilance, perseverance, and justice

Why stars and stripes? Stars are considered a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun. http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/flag.htm

But to me, it’s more than that. It symbolizes the men and women who gave their lives for our country. It’s those who lived to make America the most wonderful country on earth as well as those who fought and died.

The red is for the blood of those who gave their life’s blood for our country. The blue, for the nobility of the people of America. And white is for God, Who has blessed this country for over 200 years.

The stripes remind me of the 13 Colonies that started this great land of ours. And the stars? (My favorite part.) The stars remind me of Phillippians 2:15b-16a

Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life.

We noticed a thing in the ground, next to another man’s grave that G-Man’s dad didn’t have. It told what part of the service he was in and when he served. (Gary’s dad didn’t have a flag, either.)

I suggested we visit the C-Town cemetery to see if Granddad Reeves’s grave had one. (I thought it did.)

Here’s what I’m talking about. The grave next to Pat’s had one of these with that man’s particulars.

I don’t know what it’s called or who put it there, but I definitely think Pat Shay deserves one!

Remember yesterday when I said, “PS. Tomorrow I’ll tell you about the great graduation party I went to yesterday. So! Much! Fun!!! ?” (Clears throat.)

I lied. Okay, I didn’t really lie. I did that woman’s preogotive thing. Changed my mind. 🙂

I wanted a little longer to work on my Grad Party pics and post.

AND I took some beautiful flag-at-the-cemetery pictures I wanted to share. I might be outdone by Linda’s picture of one of our National Cemeteries over at Writing Sluts, but at least I’ll be in the running. LOL.